Specimen Type:
Wound lesion or Abscess swab, material aspirated from wound site collected in a sterile syringe with needle removed.
Tube Type:
Eswab, sterile container, or sterile syringe.
Collection Volume:
1 Eswab, or 1.0 mL Fluid (minimum)
Cause for Rejection:
Specimen received on dry swabs. Specimen received in nonsterile container.
Storage:
Ambient and sent to the lab within 2 hours.
Special Instructions:
All wound cultures include a gram stain. Collect an Eswab of wound/aspirate or 2.0 mL of material from wound site. -----
Requisition must state specific site where specimen was taken along with any important information regarding patient diagnosis e.g. animal bite). ----
If provider's orders are to culture for a specific organism, include this information on requisition. ----
If processing is delayed, an Eswab may be stored refrigerated (2-8C) or stored at room temperature for 48 hours unless Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) is suspected, If GC is suspected, the Eswab should be stored only 24 hours at room temperature. ----